RB Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool: Nunez shows his worthpublished at 22:26 23 October
22:26 23 October
Neil Johnston BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Would Darwin Nunez have started in the Champions League against RB Leipzig had Diogo Jota been fit?
Who knows but the Uruguay forward took his chance when called upon by Arne Slot in Germany.
He capped a busy performance with a goal while he also had another attempt tipped over the crossbar and should have won a penalty after being clipped by Willi Orban, the officials waving away Liverpool's strong appeals for a spot-kick.
Nunez has had to show patience under Slot who has played Jota, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz more frequently.
His winner against RB Leipzig - a point blank range finish after Salah's header - will not win any goal of the season prizes.
But Nunez showed he remains a useful asset for Slot, with Nunez and Salah combining for 14 goals in all competitions since the beginning of the 2022-23 season.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne (21) are the only Premier League team-mates to combine for more in that period.
RB Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:54 23 October
'Daunting' week but the signs 'very, very good'published at 13:27 23 October
13:27 23 October
Mike Hughes BBC Radio Merseyside reporter
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Liverpool passed their toughest test of the season so far in impressive fashion against Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
Even more difficult challenges are to come. Their title-chasing credentials face a rigorous examination over the next few weeks and as Arne Slot has pointed out on more than one occasion recently, we will all be able to make a more informed assessment of what they are capable of by the end of November.
One of the most potent signs of potential success for Liverpool this season was not just the excellent football, though there was a real flow and rhythm to their play. It is rare for a visiting team to have the amount of possession that Chelsea had, but Liverpool ensured goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher was only rarely called upon.
Beyond that, it was almost a "coming-of-age" performance from Curtis Jones, not just for his goal or for winning the penalty that led to Mohamed Salah opening the scoring. His efforts galvanised the team and nullified Cole Palmer, who has probably been the best player in the Premier League this season. Jones also threw himself into blocking a goalbound shot from the same player in front of the Kop when it was 0-0.
He is still not guaranteed a regular starting place, but could hardly have been more impressive.
The fixture schedule for the next week throws up three formidable tests in three different competitions, starting tonight in Germany.
RB Leipzig do not possess much in the way of Champions League pedigree, but Liverpool will pay them due respect. Slot has made the point that these relentless examinations are why it is so difficult to reach the top and stay there.
It is well within Liverpool’s capabilities to get a good result from the European game and then on Sunday, Arsenal at Emirates Stadium looks a daunting test.
Three days later it is another away game, this time at Brighton in the Carabao Cup. As Slot argues, we will learn more about this Liverpool team as we go along, but up to now at least, the signs are very, very good.
Reds 'street smart' while Blues 'still look a bit green'published at 09:05 23 October
09:05 23 October
Pat Nevin Former footballer and presenter
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Liverpool v Chelsea was the most-anticipated game of the weekend, the outcome would signal who is most likely to mount a challenge to the current duopoly.
The 90 minutes probably answered the question.
Liverpool edged it in terms of quality, but they still look a step below. They have time to continue their improvement under Arne Slot and as such deserve the patience the manager has pleaded for. They should not be written off yet.
The Reds look more street smart and that makes a difference at the margins while the Blues still look a bit green, particularly at the back. That is no surprise as the first-choice centre-backs have an average age of 29 for Liverpool and a callow 22 for Chelsea.
Blues fans have been spoiled in that position as from Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry to Thiago Silva and Toni Rudiger they have got used to some of the best in the world at the core of their defence. The absence of top quality in that core area means the top table is still beyond them.
As someone openly wanting a Chelsea win but always brutally honest enough to accept when we are second best on the day, there was one player I wanted introduced more than any other - Joao Felix. Enzo Maresca made five changes when creation was needed and the Portugal playmaker was not called on.
Is there something his managers know that I do not? Because in terms of skill and creativity he clearly deserves more chances if Chelsea are going to have a chance.
Slot on Jota injury, Chiesa and being 'more dominant'published at 19:22 22 October
19:22 22 October
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against RB Leipzig (kick-off 20:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
He confirmed that Diogo Jota, Conor Bradley, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Alisson will all miss the game against Leipzig through injury as the team have a "few issues" at the moment.
On Jota, who went off during the match against Chelsea, Slot said: "He got a knock when trying to go to goal. It was the the other player who fell onto him and that hurt him. He couldn’t continue and couldn’t come now, so it is difficult to judge how long it will take. It is bruised, so we will have to see how long it will take."
It is "more simple" to understand why Chiesa is missing as he "missed a whole pre-season" and Slot said: "Going to a league where intensity is higher than the Italian league makes it difficult for him to make the step up to the intensity levels of the team."
He added: "It is difficult for players when games are constant to build up to the levels we are at. It is disappointing for him coming in and out of training all the time. He signed a long-term contract which is good for us, but it is difficult for him right now."
On the importance of this game to help get qualification secured as soon as possible: "I never think it is a good idea to lose the game. It is always best to get best possible result. We look game by game and bring the best possible team tomorrow to face Leipzig. The fixture list is tough but what do you expect when playing Premier League and Champions League? It is what we want, we like to deal with it and have to deal with it."
Slot does not think he can have an opinion on the new Champions League format yet but added: "If I have to say, then I would say I like it, but that is because we have six points, not because of the format."
On what he is looking for after a strong start to the season: "You can't ask for much more in results. But in what we want, there is always room for improvement. Against Chelsea, they were more dominant than us and in an ideal world we would have been. We are not there yet."
He added: "The good thing is that we face difficult teams like Chelsea and Manchester United and are fighting against teams for every moment in the game - we showed that. I am hoping in future we play games like these and we are more dominant than them."
'I am doing a dirty job' - Szoboszlaipublished at 18:57 22 October
18:57 22 October
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Dominik Szoboszlai says he is doing a "dirty job" for Liverpool and insists it is more "important" than him standing out with an improved goal return.
The 23-year-old is yet to score in the Premier League this season, despite playing in all eight fixtures. After Sunday's win over Chelsea, pockets of the fanbase criticised the midfielder for losing possession frequently, while others praised his high work-rate on a day where the Reds battled to a hard-earned victory.
This season, Szoboszlai has found himself as the most advanced of Liverpool's three midfielders.
Asked about if he was happy with his form before facing former club RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, he said: "It can be always better so no. I can play even better. I can score more goals and do more assists. But I am doing a dirty job for the team and that is most important for me. We are top of league and if I don’t score goals that is more important.
Szoboszlai says his role has not changed markedly under Arne Slot compared to that overseen by Jurgen Klopp last season but he concedes he will keep "working" to "be in position to score more goals", adding "it takes time".
"Last year I was doing the same. It is not new," he added. "I'm going to do it all the time for my team until we succeed. Doesn’t matter for me if we don’t score and we are top of the table, that is most important."
'I wouldn't say it has really changed' - Rose on Reds' stylepublished at 17:20 22 October
17:20 22 October
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Liverpool still have "the same character" under Arne Slot as they had with former manager Jurgen Klopp, says RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose.
The German knows Klopp well having spent six seasons playing for him at Mainz.
He is set to work with him again after Klopp controversially took on a role with the owners of the Reds' next Champions League opponents Leipzig and has praised the amount he has learned from him already.
"As a coach, you can learn a lot from him. We might not always have been of the same opinion, but how he leads a group is unique, his honesty. Then it is especially about defending that I learned from him a lot," Rose told a pre-match news conference.
"He is a great personality and a great person. I loved working together with him and I'm happy that we'll work together again."
Despite keeping a close relationship, with Klopp taking a break in Mallorca before starting his new job, Rose has not been asking him for tips on beating Liverpool on Wednesday night.
New Reds boss Slot has tweaked things since his arrival, but the Leipzig coach still sees similarities in the side to that of his old boss.
"I wouldn't say it has really changed," Rose added. "The game of Liverpool is very intense. Still Liverpool are very strong in pressing situations, they defend very well, it is an intense game. They are a very robust team, physically strong on and off the ball.
"It is the same character Liverpool had under Klopp, very dominant like in the old days.
"Slot does it in his own way of course with some different mechanisms but everything is clear. They are uncomfortable to defend against with high quality, a lot of vertical play, and a lot of possession."
No Jota in trainingpublished at 16:19 22 October
16:19 22 October
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Diogo Jota was not seen during Liverpool's open training session on Tuesday.
The forward suffered an apparent rib injury during the 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday.
In his post-match news conference, manager Arne Slot said: “I’m not sure what it is but I would be surprised if he’s there on Wednesday.”
Defender Conor Bradley and summer signing Federico Chiesa were also not part of Tuesday's training while goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Harvey Elliot were also absent as they recover from their longer term injuries.
Despite this, the Liverpool squad looked in great spirits as they prepare for Wednesday's Champions League match against RB Leipzig.
'It is a myth that he can't defend'published at 13:46 22 October
13:46 22 October
Jordan Chamberlain Fan writer
Image source, PA Media
Trent Alexander-Arnold did not have many of the jaw-dropping attacking moments he goes viral for every week against Chelsea, but defensively, he was superb.
The right-back won five duels, made four clearances and one block - registering the most defensive actions on the pitch - while giving away zero fouls.
It is a myth that he can't defend. It is nonsense. What has happened in the past is that he is so excited by the creative things he can do, he can switch off when the other team has the ball. But this season, he has been pretty much faultless defensively.
After all, Liverpool have conceded only three goals in eight Premier League games and he has started every single one of them.
Arne Slot is moulding Alexander-Arnold into an even better player than he was under Jurgen Klopp. Yes, he still drops into pockets of space and plays killer passes, but he makes better, less reckless decisions, while being more responsible positionally off the ball.
When he is playing like this, no other right-back on the planet can get close. It is farcical that he had to play at left-back in his last match for England, even if he scored a sublime free-kick in the process.
Roy Keane's analysis after England's game with Finland that Trent cannot defend was so lazy. He can. Just look at his performances for Liverpool, week in, week out.
Now he just needs to sign a contract extension, stay at Liverpool for his entire career and cement his reputation as the best right-back the country has ever seen.
Versatile Jones 'can do it all'published at 13:45 22 October
13:45 22 October
Former Premier League winger Andros Townsend thinks Curtis Jones may be the one Arne Slot's side "play through this year" with the Liverpool boss seeming to have "full faith" in the 23-year-old.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Townsend and former Premier League striker Chris Sutton were full of praise for the midfielder, with Sutton saying he "was mightily impressive at both ends of the pitch," in the club's win over Chelsea.
'Liverpool are bang in this title race'published at 09:47 22 October
09:47 22 October
Arne Slot is running out of evidence to claim Liverpool are not realistic contenders to win the Premier League.
That's the view of former Everton and Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, who told BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club that Slot needs to accept the Reds are "bang in the title race, even at this stage of the season."
Liverpool 'look calmer' than under Klopppublished at 08:55 22 October
08:55 22 October
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The panel on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club discussed Liverpool's evolution under Arne Slot since he succeeded Jurgen Klopp as manager at Anfield.
Ex-Luton winger Andros Townsend: "They look like they're a lot calmer, they're not just 'gung ho' when they lose it and pressing all out to win it back. They'll keep the ball [and] when the other team has it, they'll let them have it and get back in their shape.
"It seems to be very different to the way Jurgen Klopp shaped his Liverpool side. It's a major change but the players seem to be adapting well and results haven't dropped off, which is probably a surprise.
When you have a successful manager like Klopp walk away, normally you'd expect a dip in standards and form - but that hasn't happened so far."
New York Times journalist Rory Smith: "Slot has not sought to make big changes. The style of play is different, they look calmer and they look less urgent then they had under Klopp.
"It was more pronounced last season particularly because it felt like everything was riding on every game last season because of the situation with Klopp leaving.
"They look more calm, more assured, more patient and those things are standing them in good stead, because there were points last season where every Liverpool game felt like it was on the verge of chaos."
And, given this ebb and flow of emotion, every so often, even the coolest heads boil over.
Image source, Getty Images
'A show of resilience and mental strength' - McNultypublished at 17:21 21 October
17:21 21 October
Liverpool's reshaped style under new head coach Arne Slot may be more middle of the road than the "heavy metal" of predecessor Jurgen Klopp, but it has taken them on a direct route to the top of the Premier League.
Slot's tempo is more measured than the full-tilt thrills that were Klopp's trademark, but the 2-1 win over Chelsea in an engrossing Anfield encounter continued the Dutchman's near flawless start since taking charge of the Reds.
Liverpool's outstanding opening in the new era has been framed by the standard of opposition they have faced, meaning optimism has been cloaked with caution, with this meeting with Enzo Maresca's improving Chelsea regarded as Slot's biggest test, even though he has already enjoyed a 3-0 win at Manchester United.
It was an examination Liverpool had to dig deep to pass, in what was a show of resilience and mental strength - as opposed to the glorious attacking chaos that brought so much success under Klopp.
And it was no less enjoyable for all that as far as the home fans were concerned. They celebrated raucously at the final whistle, the magnificent Curtis Jones deservedly the match-winner after Nicolas Jackson had equalised Mohamed Salah's first-half penalty.
'Liverpool's mentality is impressive' published at 17:20 21 October
17:20 21 October
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Danny Murphy believes that Liverpool's mentality is key, and is a reason his former side have the best defence in the league.
Speaking on BBC's Match of the Day 2, Murphy said: "They've got a really good shape, they've played the same way since the beginning of the season.
"What is most impressive is the mentality to defend for each other when mistakes happen.
"They're not as hell to leather in terms of pressing all the time. They keep their counsel.
"If you've got a mentality where you want to fill in for each other and help each other, and you've got a good shape - it gives you a good chance at winning games - that is why they have the best defence in the Premier League."
Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez agreed, and said how impressive it is to hear experienced players like Andy Robertson show his willingness to prove himself to Arne Slot.
"Especially at his level he [wants] to prove again, normally you'd say 'listen I was doing this for years' but still he has to prove that - that is really good," said Bentiez.
"It shows the competitive mentality and that the new manager wants to win something.
"You can see that they're going in the right direction, when you have Salah in the 75th minute coming back to regain the ball to help the defence - you have all the team together.
"I think they have a plan and the right mentality and confidence. They are doing really well."
'It will be very difficult for Slot to leave Jones out'published at 14:53 21 October
14:53 21 October
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BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.
Tom asked: Phil - given Curtis Jones' top-quality midfield performance for Liverpool yesterday, it would be very harsh to drop him for the big games right now.
Would the best solution be to play him alongside Gravenberch and move Mac Allister further forward? The Argentine has been under-utilised in that position and, for me, is just ahead of Szoboszlai in the pecking order at the moment. A nice problem to have, however!
Phil answered: Hi, Tom. Curtis Jones was the best player on the pitch yesterday, so you can do no more than that. As you say, a very nice problem for Arne Slot to solve and you do mention a very good potential solution there.
What is not in doubt is that if Curtis Jones keeps playing like he did against Chelsea it will be very difficult for Slot to leave him out.
'Van Dijk news certainly welcome for Liverpool and their supporters'published at 13:53 21 October
13:53 21 October
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BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.
Ollie asked: What is the latest on Liverpool’s contract situation with 'the big three'?
Phil answered: Hello, Ollie. We are safe to assume you mean Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Well, the good news is that Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has just revealed he has opened talks on a new contract. We must assume the same will be applying to Salah and Alexander-Arnold, if not actually ongoing now then imminently.
It has been easy to understand Liverpool fans’ concerns on this issue. They cannot afford to lose any of these players and as we know January is pre-contract territory for foreign clubs.
Liverpool have been keeping it very quiet but all logic suggests they must want to keep this trio as a matter of urgency.
The Van Dijk news is certainly welcome for Liverpool and their supporters.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:28 21 October
12:28 21 October
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Chelsea.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Matt: Thought generally Liverpool controlled the game and that Chelsea were quite fortunate to score. Curtis Jones was outstanding both going forwards and backwards and is making a case for inclusion in the starting XI on a long-term basis. However, the ref had an absolute shocker. Lost the plot.
Graham: A game between two extremely good teams that would usually end up as a draw but Liverpool just managed a very talented Chelsea team. In the seven minutes added time, under Jurgen Klopp we might well have conceded late because we would have gone all out for the third and left ourselves open at the back.
Robby: That was tough. Chelsea played their part in an end-to-end game. I will tell you what though, this Liverpool team won’t lose many games this season. Arne Slot has a squad capable of winning this league.
Chelsea fans
Phil: Once again Chelsea were the better side but failed to create many clear cut chances which you cannot afford to do against Liverpool even when they are not at their best. Oh, for a Diego Costa or a Didier Drogba.
David: A good performance without really hurting Liverpool enough. I’m liking the confidence to play out from the back, dominate the midfield and get wide players on the ball. But not enough big chances created today, but you have to credit Liverpool for suppressing them.
Simon: Same old Chelsea. Poor performance, lack of quality and unless Cole Palmer turns up then there is nothing else. Some poor management as well. Mid-table this season again - it’s where we are.
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